Chicago, the capital of Illinois

The Illinois Office of Tourism has appointed three agencies to handle its advertising, public relations, and sales and marketing for the remainder of 2012 and 2013. 

JWT, who has worked on the account for the past eight years, will continue to handle advertising, Fleishman-Hillard London will take on PR, and Cellet Travel Services will manage sales and marketing to the trade.

All agencies will be working to raise the profile of Illinois as a travel destination to UK leisure travellers.

Jan Kemmerling, international tourism trade manager for The Illinois Office of Tourism said: “Illinois offers the ultimate American experience, from the excitement of a world class city to the charm of America’s heartland. Visitors can choose from the buzz of Chicago to the State’s beautiful scenic byways, regional dining, cultural attractions and history.

“With a State so diverse it can satisfy even the most demanding traveller and it is important that we have a solid UK marketing programme in place to accommodate this.”

JWT Chicago, the agency of record for Illinois Office of Tourism, manages strategy, development and execution of IOT’s international consumer programs, including the Discover Illinois website, international travel guide and all media campaigns. 

JWT Chicago and JWT UK work together to ensure relevancy of communications in-market. 

JWT Chicago also supports trade and PR programs. 

Fleishman-Hillard London will use its strategic and digital expertise to manage trade and consumer media as well as blogger relations in the UK, provide support for key trade shows throughout the year and manage the Discover Illinois UK Facebook page to help raise awareness of attractions across the State.

Holly Ward, managing director Consumer & Digital, Fleishman-Hillard added: “We are extremely excited to be working with a US State that has so much to offer.

“We want to tap into the British people’s love of exploring to position the State of Illinois as a place of discovery and the ultimate American experience.”

Cellet Travel Services, which is based in Henley-in-Arden, Warwickshire has over 20 years’ experience in marketing and PR within the travel industry.

Its brief includes raising awareness of the State of Illinois to the UK & Ireland travel trade and consumer audience and creating brand recognition of Illinois.